Next Issue: OKC’s emerging districts
P.4 As Oklahoma City’s core business and entertainment districts continue to prosper, Oklahoma Gazette looks at three emerging districts in the early stages of development. By George Lang, Ben Luschen and Jacob Threadgill Cover by Kimberly Walker and Karson Brooks
Running start
Pete White Health & Wellness Center officially opened to the public May 4. Ernie Schmidt was one of the very first people in line to utilize the Capitol Hill-area health facility for residents age 50 and older. “I signed up the first day,” Schmidt said. “I had the paperwork before [the center opened].” The 37,000…
Permanent trademark
A Sense of Time and Place: Work by Greg Burns 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-SaturdayThrough September 29 Oklahoma History Center 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive okhistory.org 405-521-2491 Free – $7 The ability to capture the essence of a certain setting is a unique talent few artists possess. In Oklahoma City, a lifelong painter is tracing his roots…
Universal feelings
Jason Eady 8 p.m. Saturday The Blue Door 2805 N. McKinley Ave. bluedoorokc.com 405-524-0738 $25-$30 Learning Arabic as an Air Force translator helped Jason Eady write better country songs. “It definitely made me realize that everybody is the same,” said Eady, who’s scheduled to play with his band Saturday at The Blue Door. “Everybody has…
Fresh dough
Oklahoma City’s robust independent pizza market received a new addition from some of the city’s most experienced restaurateurs with the opening of Wheelhouse Pizza Kitchen at 11109 N. May Ave. at the end of June. The by-the-slice and New York-style whole pies with creative toppings are a joint concept from Jimmy’s Egg founder Loc Le…
Rewind revival
VHS and Chill: Birdemic: Shock and Terror 8:30 p.m. Thursday 51st Street Speakeasy 1114 NW 51st St. vhsandchill.net 405-463-0470 Free In the beginning, there was RoboCop, a VHS copy in a cardboard box full of old movies and episodes of Star Trek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer taped from television. For “like…
Cover: No smoke
Medical marijuana activists were dealt a blow when the Oklahoma State Board of Health added amendments not written in the final draft of emergency regulations submitted to the board. A pair of amendments — one banning smokable marijuana, which appears to be on shaky legal ground, and another requiring dispensaries to hire full-time pharmacists —…
Bright future
In 2019, Positive Tomorrows — Oklahoma City’s only school for homeless children — celebrates its 30th anniversary. The milestone year also happens to be when the school will open doors on its large new facility east of State Fair Park, nearly quadrupling the size of its current building. “The timing is excellent,” said Positive Tomorrows…
Achieving resonance
A staple of Norman’s artistic community migrates closer to the city’s epicenter this month. Founded in 2016 out of the remnants of Dope Chapel, Resonator Institute has challenged artists and cultivated creative growth through engaging programing and art education. Though the nonprofit grew exponentially in its past home, a converted fabrication warehouse, the recent move…
High-stepping
Draft horses originally from Scotland, Clydesdales are a gentle breed easily recognized by their playful personalities and bushy feathered legs — the breed’s mark of distinction. After only a quick visit with these animals, it was plain to see why they are some of the most sought-after horses in the world. Bob Funk, owner of…
Chicken-Fried News: (Not so) golden anniversary
The big golden anniversary! It has been 50 years since Braum’s opened and brought every Oklahoman that much closer to diabetes. Braum’s wouldn’t be around today if it didn’t deliver greasy hamburgers that hit the spot through its drive-thru window and offer delicious pints of ice cream for sale in its Fresh Market. In fact,…
New Leaf
Oklahoma City-based Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is one of the most successful frozen yogurt chains in the country with more than 200 locations across the nation. With the latest frozen yogurt trend in the rearview mirror, the brand is using its 5900 W. Memorial Road, Suite D location as a model for co-branding its Humble…
Block Fiesta
Fiesta Friday 7-10 p.m. July 27 and Aug. 24 Calle Dos Cinco Historic Capitol Hill SW 25th St. and Harvey Ave. historiccapitolhill.com 405-632-0133 Free What started as a small, middle-of-the-week gathering of taco trucks in a Historic Capitol Hill vacant lot has become a full-fledged block party to kick off the weekend. The sixth year…
Gazedibles: Refreshing greens
It is a peak time of the year for fresh fruit. Summer salads using fruit are a great way to fill up with nutrients without carrying a food baby while you’re moving quickly from your car air conditioning to office air conditioning. These seven salads pack in the fruit. Charleston’s Restaurant 224 Johnny Bench Drive…
Lyric love
Mamma Mia! Tuesday-July 19 Civic Center Music Hall 201 N. Walker Ave. lyrictheatreokc.com 405-297-2264 $42-$98 There is a matter of sheer happenstance brewing this month in Oklahoma City. Moviegoers and theater fanatics alike will soon have the distinct opportunity to see hit musical Mamma Mia!, the nostalgic yet timely production featuring songs of the Swedish…
Well rounded
Wheeler Summer Music Series: Beau Jennings, Vonna Pearl and The Lunar Laugh 7-11 p.m. July 27 The Wheeler District 1701 S. Western Avenue wheelerdistrict.com 405-655-8455 Free The Wheeler District is most commonly associated with the Wheeler Ferris Wheel, but this summer, it has built up a strong reputation for live music through its seasonal music…
Fist fight
A logo of brass knuckles and a mission statement some believed romanticized the state’s land run history helped contribute to widespread social media suspicion the fledgling Defend OKC T-shirt and lifestyle brand represented — or at least was sympathetic to — white supremacist ideals. The brand has repeatedly refuted the association. “I’ve explicitly reiterated to…
Commentary: Transcendent moment
There’s not anyone more loved or influential in Oklahoma City right now than Russell Westbrook. His impact on our city is mind-blowing, especially for someone who has grown up witnessing OKC go from complete uncertainty to a confident, thriving and developing city on the rise. So when the man himself personally invites you to a…
Native design
Cheyenne/Arapaho artist, 2017 Oklahoma Creativity Ambassador and El Reno resident Harvey Pratt almost didn’t submit a design for the very contest for which he was recently awarded a unanimous selection designation. Last month, Pratt was named winning designer during a competition process for a federally authorized commission by Congress to complement the grounds at Smithsonian…
Okie Cajun
Cajun Corner 9200 N. Council Road, Suite A cajuncornerokc.com 405-792-2588 What works: Fresh oyster on the po’boy is expertly fried and spicy coleslaw stands out.. What needs work: The étouffeé needs bread to complement the dish. Tip: The draft beer is only $3. The children of Vietnamese refugees, Nam and Rick Nguyen were born in…
Chicken-Fried News: Breaking the NBA bank
Although it was only a select few in attendance for the July 1 party where Paul George announced that he was returning to Oklahoma City Thunder, most of the city might’ve said they were there to see George and Russell Westbrook smoke cigars and watch Nas perform. Gamble Thunder general manager Sam Presti’s trade for…
Chicken-Fried News: Off script
OK, readers; it’s Chicken-Fried joke time! Get ready for a real knee-slapper! Ahem ahem. Why didn’t the SUV know not to drive into the bookstore? We’ll wait … Are you ready for this answer? You’re not ready for this answer; you can’t be. Oh, so you really want the answer, huh? Well, here goes. Because…
Golden screen
An icon of the Great Plains celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout July. Established July 3, 1968, in southern Oklahoma City, Winchester Drive-in Theater has offered an authentic and comfortable cinematic experience more consistently than any other establishment in the metro. Notable for its giant and welcoming neon cowboy, Chester, and a similarly gigantic projection screen,…
Next Issue: A closer look at how medical marijuana will go into effect
P. 4 Oklahoma Gazette speaks to the medical community and proponents of State Question 788 to find out what’s next after the Oklahoma State Department of Health released its emergency rules for the implementation of medical marijuana. By George Lang, Ben Luschen and Jacob Threadgill Cover by Kimberly Walker
